MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- It wasn’t a political statement, but a “call to conscience.”
That was the position Alabama State University band director James Oliver took on Monday, explaining why ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets spelled out “Trayvon” during its halftime performance Saturday at Jackson State.
“Trayvon” was a reference to Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen who was killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in a highly publicized case.
The ASU band spelled out Martin’s name as it played “Amazing Grace.”
“ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets Band’s halftime show utilized the tragic death of Trayvon Martin as a symbolic recognition that far too many young men die of senseless gun violence,” Oliver said in a statement provided by the university.
CONTINUE READING
Alabama State Releases Band Statement
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The following is a statement from James Oliver, the director of Alabama State University's Mighty Marching Hornets Band about it spelling out the name "Trayvon" while playing ”Amazing Grace" during its halftime show at last Saturday's football game.
"ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets Band's halftime show utilized the tragic death of Trayvon Martin as a symbolic recognition that far too many young men die of senseless gun violence.
Ours was a call to conscience of all those who wish to protect our children and to build community.
We spelled out the name 'Trayvon' while the band played 'Amazing Grace' as a tribute to all the families who have lost their children. It had nothing to do with a jury's verdict, but everything to do with the sanctity of life and the amazing grace that only God can give as we deal with tragedies such as the loss of a child."
By: James Oliver, Director of Alabama State University's Mighty Marching Hornets Band.
COURTESY SWAC.ORG
No comments:
Post a Comment